Former Athens High football standouts Wes Brown, left, and Rob Ezell, right, talk following the Crimson Tide’s game against Tennessee earlier this season. Brown and Ezell are cousins. Ezell and Alabama will be playing Thursday night against Texas for what would be the Tide’s 13th national championship.

Garner Ezell has been looking forward to his trip to Pasadena, Calif. for Thursday’s BCS national championship game for several weeks.

But with frigid temperatures currently looming across North Alabama and mid-70 temperatures waiting out West, it’s more appealing for Ezell by the minute.

“I’m looking forward to leaving the cold weather,” Ezell said with a laugh Monday afternoon.

Ezell’s son Rob is one of three players from Athens on top-ranked Alabama’s roster this season. Others include Alfred McCullough and William Ming. All three were part of Athens High’s 2006 state championship team.

“It’s great,” Ezell said of being able to watch his son play for another championship. “It’s almost like I’m out there myself. The state championship was a great feeling and the SEC championship was as well. I hope they’re able to bring a national championship back from California.”

Growing up, Garner saw that Rob had the potential to play college football. At Athens, Rob earned several honors his senior season, including MVP of the state championship game.

He also passed and rushed for more than 3,500 yards of total offense. And while he wasn’t overwhelmed with Division I program offers, he did receive several from Division II and FCS programs. But that’s not what the current Alabama junior wanted.

According to Garner, Rob always wanted to play Division I football, so when Alabama offered him the opportunity to walk on, he couldn’t pass it down.

“I don’t know that I envisioned him playing Division I, but I did for college football,” Garner said. “He wanted to take advantage of what Alabama gave him and I think its been good. He has a dream to coach college football and it’s just been a great learning opportunity for him.”

Despite having been a Tennessee fan in his younger days, Garner added that Rob now bleeds crimson.

“When he was growing up, our family was divided,” Garner said. “I was a Tennessee fan and my wife Debbie was an Alabama fan. Rob has really united our family and now we’re all Alabama fans.

“As parents, we sort of live and die with the fortunes of the team,” Garner added. “We’re thrilled he’s in the situation he is. It’s an exciting time to be associated with the football team and the university.”

Kickoff between Alabama and Texas is set for 7:30 p.m. on ABC.